This 1902 photo taken in a private animal sanctuary shows Maggie, third of the light breeds, as she appears to hover above the head of a small child. In actuality, the dog, after having gleefully rolled only moments before in camel feces, is being balanced on a broom handle as she is carefully moved to a washtub off camera.

Walking this breed of dog in the wind was nearly impossible. It was neccessary to carry the animals. For most owners, this was impractical and odd looking. These dogs were especialy vulnerable to bullying from other common breeds. Discipline from bad owners created problems; striking the dog would send it flying. Still other thoughtless owners were begining to train the more pliant individuals of this breed to clamp the ends of long wooden handles with their mouths as their owners used them to mop up spills.

The popularity of the breed waned around 1906. The last individual of the breed, Lucero, was seen hovering, and somewhat soiled, in the neighborhood of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan on December 24,1910. 

Note to our readers:

Writing this piece caused me to reflect on the moments I have spent with our numerous dog companions through the years. They have entered our lives under many different circumstances, giving us unconditional love and unfailing loyalty, and then departing. Their small lives are a true gift that  counts as wholly sacred in all the finer blessings we can experience.

I suppose a good deal of the subject of the piece, ”Buoyant Dogs” comes from a wish for our dogs to be impervious to natural laws…perhaps buoyant enough that the weight of life will not yield to the onslaught of death. If they could live more years to an approximation of our natural years, would they become as burdened by the past as we are? Maybe it’s their earnest efforts of an abiding goodness that moves them more quickly towards the end…they are doomed after burning brightly... leaving a luminous image in our memory.